Stretching-frame for embroidery-machines.



L. HERZOG. STRETCHING FRAME FOR EMBROIDERY MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 1. 1915.

. Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

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Patented Oct. 24, 1916.

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L. HERZOG. STRETCHING FRAME FOR EMBROIDERY MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED APR. 1, 1915.

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Eff) LOUIS HERZOG, 0F GLENHAM, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 GLENHAM EMBROIDERY COMPANY, OF GLENHAIVI, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

STRETCHING-FRAME FOR EMBROIDERY-MACHINES.

Application filed April 1, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LOUIS HERZOG, a citizen of the Republic of Switzerland, and re siding at Glenham, in the county of Dutchess and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Stretching Frames for Embroidery Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a stretching frame for embroidery machines, and the object of my invention is to provide a device of this character in which separate pieces of fabric of any suitable character may be mounted and stretched in position for simultaneous action thereon by the needles of an embroidery machine.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a frame in which my invention is illustratively embodied and in the left-hand portion of which a stocking is shown in position, the right hand portion of the figure showing some of the parts disengaged, the better to illustrate the construction of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 22, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a broken elevation of the lower ends of two of the draw-up spindles; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section through the lower end of the mid clamp; Fig. 5 is a detached perspective of the jaws of an end clamp; Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the manner in which the stretching frames are mounted in the tambourframe of an ordinary embroidery machine for a two color design; Fig. 8 is a cross section on the line 88, Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevation of the positioning devices by which the stretching frame is held in the tambour frame. Fig. 10 illus trates a fragment of the stretching frame showing the flat spring 38 which holds the nut 28 against rotation.

Various stretching devices commonly called stretching frames have been heretofore provided for holding handkerchiefs while the latter are embroidered and these frames have likewise been mounted in embroidering machines. The present invention relates to a stretching frame for use in embroidering machines of the same general type and can be used to carry handkerchiefs as well as any other appropriate material or article which it is desired to embroider, suitable alterations in detail being made Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 18,553.

if necessary to adapt the frame to the particular article which it is to carry.

The stretching frame as here illustrated comprises a pair of main channel bars 1 and 2 spaced apart but rigidly united by transverse channel sections 3. The inner wall of channel 1 is cut away at intervals to form seats 1 to receive the clamps 5, the extended bases 6 of which rest in the seats and are secured to the channel by means of screws 7. The inner end of the clamp base is provided with upstanding marginal flanges forming lips 8. The movable upper jaw 9 of the clamp is similarly shaped at its inner end and the downwardly extending lips 10 thereof fit closely within the lips 8 of the fixed lower jaw when the clamp is closed. Perforated lugs 11 afford bearings for the pivot pin 12 passing therethrough and on which the upper jaw 9 is hinged. A spring 13 is coiled on the pin 12 and tends to maintain the clamp in closed position. The lips and adjacent inner portions of the clamping jaws are covered with suitable elastic material such as rubber, although any other substance may be used for this purpose, if suitable. When rubber is used it is preferable that it should bevulcanized directly to the metal of the clamp so that there is no possibility of the rubber becoming loose or separating from the metal. Between the seats 4 for each pair of clamps 5, the side of the main channel 1 is also cut away to form a seat 15, opposite which a corresponding recess 16 is formed in the side of main cha11- nel 2. In these recesses rest the ends of the cross channels 3. Each of these cross channels 3, as has already been pointed out, is rigidly united to the main channel sections 1 and 2 of the frame by means of rivets 17. Each cross channel 3 carries a pair of lugs 18 in which the pivot pin 19 is mounted. On this pin is pivoted the mid-clamp 20. The

major portion of the latter is covered with ually into the channel area instead of. engaging it at all points simultaneously. The free end of the mid-clamp is offset in the form of an arch a: between the body of the bar and the flat terminal portion 22. In closed position this end 22 lies within the area of the main channel 2 and is held down by a catch 23 pivoted at 2 1. The cross channel'3 is apertured at 25 at a point lying be tween the clamps 5. Through this aperture 25 any excess material, such as the foot of a stocking may be pulled out of the way so that it does not interfere with the proper tensioning of that engaged by the clamps. On each side of the cross channel 3 and beyond the clamps 5 are spindles 26 which eX- tend between and are pivoted in the main channels 1 and 2. Longitudinal displacement of these spindles within the frame is prevented at one end by bushings 27 pinned thereto at and at the other end by octagonal holding nuts 28 pinned thereto at 37. Over each spindle 26 a tube 29 of elastic material, such as rubber, is drawn and cement ed in position. Pivoted on the cross pin 30 at one end of each of the spindles is a gripping jaw 31 of semicircular cross section adapted to overlie the rubber sheath 29 of the spindle and grip firmly any interposed material. A securing thimble 32 which slides freely on the opposite end of each spindle, may be shoved over the free end of the gripper 31 to hold the latter in position after it has been swung down upon the spindle 26.

Each nut 28 is provided on its inner face with a socket in which the end of the spindle 26 is inserted and held against rotation by the pin 37. On its opposite side the nut is extended by a hub journaled in the frame 2 and carrying a non-circular head 36 outside the latter to receive an operating key. An aperture 33 is formed in the base of the channel 2 beneath each of the nuts 28, and a fiat spring 38 secured to the channel 2 by screw 39 bears with its fiat side against the head of the nut 28, thus holding the same (and thereby the spindle 26) against unintentional rotation. Each spindle 26 with its rubber tubing 29, nut 28 and gripper 31, forms a draw-up member by means of which the fabric held by the gripper 31 may be tensioned as desired on the rotation of the spindle 26 in either direction by means of a key applied to the head 36. The spindle is held in its adjusted position by means of the spring 38 bearing against the fiat head of the nut 28.

In the frame illustrated, a unit is formed by a pair of clamps 5, a cross channel 3v with its mid-clamp bar 20 and the two adjacent spindles 26 with their related parts This unit forms a complete stretching appliance. A plurality of such appliances may be arranged in a single frame comprised by the main channel sections 1 and 2. Each frame thus formed may be placed, without further alteration, in the tambour frame 40, of an embroidering machine, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. lVhen it is desired to embroider a figure with different colored threads, it is possible to transfer the present stretching frame from the tambour frame of one embroidering machine to a similar tambour frame of a11- other machine, different colored threads being used in the two machines and the tambour patterns of the two machines being arranged to form the entire two-color design which it is desired to embroider upon the fabric.

In order that the stretching frames may be properly and accurately positioned in the tambour frames, I have provided the channels 2 with pins 41 which enter holes 42 in the supporting member of the tambour frame. If these pins and holes are accurately positioned, the stretching frames may be positioned in perfect register in different tambour frames so that the designs may be embroidered in a plurality of colors without removing the goods from the stretching frames. Clamps 413 may be employed to hold the stretching frames in their adjusted positions in the tambour frame.

The manner in which. the fabric is mounted in the stretching frame is readily under stood. As has already been explained, a pair of clamps 5, draw-up spindles 31 and mid-clamp 20 form a unit on which two needles operate, one on each side of the midclamp 20. The material to be embroidered is positioned with its angled ends gripped by the clamps Where a stocking is to be embroidered it is stretched on the frame while still in its fiat form and before the bottom foot seam or the back seam have been sewed. It thus forms a fiat piece of goods having at one end angular extensions which eventually form the heel and are united to the forwardly extending toe portion of the stocking. In some methods of manufacture the sides of the foot of the stocking are sewed in part to the heel and it is highly desirable that the embroidery should have the portions thereof which are adjacent the seam follow the angle of the latter accurately. If the gripping jaws of the clamp 5 are shaped to this angle it is possible to position the stocking in the frame in such manner that the side foot seam lies parallel with the sides of jaws of the clamp 5 and the embroidery can thus be placed in pre' determined relation to the seams at the foot of the stocking as well as symmetrical on both sides of the stocking. Having thus secured the stocking fabric at the two clamps 5, it is laid by hand and aszevenly-as possible over the cross channel 3 and the two spindles 26 on both sides of the latter. After the operator has laid the material satisfactorily, the two grippers 81, one after the other, are now pressed down upon the opposite edges of the material and fastened by means of the thimbles 32. The material is now provisionally stretched and arranged. The foot portion of the stocking is then drawn through the aperture 25 in the cross channel 3 and the clamping bar 20 pressed down drawing the middle portion of the material into the channel of the cross piece 3. Such excess material as may extend beyond the lower ends of grippers 31 and mid-clamp sheath 21 may be gathered beneath the bow m of the said clamp 20: Inasmuch as the material extending between the spindles 26 overlies the cross channel 3, the downward adjustment of the mid-clamp 20 has the effect of stretching the same and holding it fast within the channel by reason of the fact that the rubber sheath 21 of the bar fits tight within the latter. The catch 23 adjusted over the end of the bar 20 holds the latter fast in position. This is the third operation. The last and fourth operation is the stretching of the material as far as may be necessary to insure its proper tensioning for the operation thereon of the embroidery needle. This is accomplished through the rotation of the spindles 26. Each spindle 26 tensions the portion of the fabric lying between the spindle and the stretching bar 20. Since the portions of the fabric lying on opposite sides of the stretching bar 20 may be unequally tensioned during the pre liminary adjustments, it is now possible to correct this by rotating the spindles 26 to different extents or in opposite directions to loosen or tighten the fabric portions as may be necessary in order to secure the proper tension of the fabric. After the adjustment has been attained the stretching frame is positioned in the tambour frame of a suitable embroidering machine and either completely embroidered there or partially, as may be required. If the pattern has a two-color scheme, one color will be finished on one tambour frame and the stretching frame then transferred to the tambour frame of another machine in which the pattern will be then completed in a second color.

Various modifications and changes in the details of construction of the present stretching frame will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, while at the same time attaining what I claim as my invention.

I claim as my invention 1. A stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising a carrying frame and a stretching unit mounted thereon, said unit comprising a pair of rotary draw-up members spaced apart for holding the opposite margins of a fabric, a clamp intermediate the same and serving to divide the fabric body into two areas adapted to be operated upon by independent needles, together with means at the same end of the unit and between each draw-up member and the mid clamp for holding the adjacent end of the fabric taut.

2. A stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising a carrying frame and clamps mounted on one side thereof adapted to grip the fabric, the said clamps having spear head gripping jaws, the point of the spear head projecting toward the opposite side of the frame, and the gripping jaws of said clamps having their engaging faces covered with elastic material.

3. A stretching frame for embroidering stockings comprising a carrying frame, a pair of stretching members adapted to en gage the opposite margins of a stocking in its fiat form and a pair of clamps arranged between said stretching members at the foot end of the stocking, each of said clamps having spear head gripping jaws with en gaging lips angled to the heel seams of the opposite sides of the stocking foot, whereby the latter may be accurately positioned and symmetrically arranged in both clamps, for the purpose described. 4. A stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising a carrying frame, j uxtaposed clamping units thereon, each clamp ing unit comprising clamping means for engaging one end of the fabric, and a midclamp extending longitudinally of the latter within the embroidery area and dividing the latter, together with rotary draw-up means on opposite sides of said mid-clamp and spaced therefrom for holding the intervening fabric taut.

5. A stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising a carrying frame, clamping means for engaging one end of the fabric, and a mid-clamp extending longitudinally of the latter within the embroidery area and dividing the latter, together with means on opposite sides of said mid-clamp and spaced therefrom for drawing the intervening fabric taut, said means comprising rotary draw-up members independently operable to tension the fabric on opposite sides of the mid-clamp.

6. A stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising a carrying frame, clamping means for engaging one end of the fabric, and a mid-clamp extending longitudinally of the latter within the embroidery area and dividing the latter, together with rotary draw-up means on opposite sides of said mid-clamp and spaced therefrom for holding the intervening fabric taut, said mid-clamp having means to accommodate an end of the fabric outside the tensioned area.

7. A stretching frame for embroidery 18 .machines, 7 comprising a carrying frame, clamping means for engaging one end of the fabric, and a mid-clamp extending 1ongi- ,tudinally of the latter within the embroidery area and dividing the latter, together with means on opposite sides of said midclamp and spaced therefrom for holding the intervening fabric taut, said mid-clamp being apertured at a point adjacent the end clamping means to accommodate fabric outside the tensioned area.

8. stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising a carrying frame, clamping means for engaging one end of the fabric,

and a mid-clamp extending longitudinally of the latter Within the embroidery area and dividing the latter, together with means on opposite sides of said mid-clamp and spaced therefrom for holding the intervening fabric taut, said mid-clamp being arched to accommodate excess'fabric at the end opposite the said end clamps.

9. A stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising longitudinal frame memthus forming the center of a tensioningunit,

and a plurality of such units being carried by the frame, said frame having positioning studs adapted to engage apertures in the tambour frame of an embroidery machine to position the frames accurately with relation to each other.

10. A stretching frame for embroidery machines, comprising longitudinal frame members and a plurality of cross members rigidly secured thereto, a clamping element cooperating with each cross member to form a mid-clamp, a pair of end clamps for each cross member and arranged one on each side thereof, a pair ,of draw-up members for each cross member, arranged on opposite sides thereof and spaced therefrom beyond the respective end clamps, each cross member thus forming the center of a tensioning unit, and

a plurality of'such units being carried by the frame, said frame being adapted for adjustment as a whole in the tambour frame of an embroidery machine, together with means for positioning said stretching frame with eXactitude in the tambour frame.

' 11. A stretching frame for embroidering Copies of this patent may be obtained for may be accurately positioned and symmetrically arranged in both clamps, in combination with a mid-clamp extending longitudinally of the stocking between said end clamps and dividing the stocking into separate embroidery areas adapted to be acted upon simultaneously by independent needles.

12. A stretching frame for embroidering stockings comprising a carrying frame, a pair of stretching members adapted to engage the opposite margins of a stocking in its flat form and a pair of clamps arranged between said stretching members at the foot end of the stocking, each of said clamps having spear head gripping jaws with engaging lips angled to the heel seams of the opposite sides of the stocking foot, whereby the latter may be accurately positioned and symmetrically arranged in both clamps, the engaging faces of said clamp lips having a thin vulcanized rubber facing adapted to accurately grip and tightly hold the stocking foot without slip.

13. A stretching frame for embroidering stockings, comprising a mid-clamp extending longitudinally of the stocking, rotary draw-up members on opposite sides thereof and spaced therefrom for holding the opposite margins of the stocking leg, together with clamping means to engage the foot of the stocking 011 opposite sides of the midclamp.

14. In combination with a stretching frame for embroidering stockings, a stocking foot clamp having spear head gripping jaws with interlocking marginal lips, the angle of the jaws corresponding substantially to the angle of the heel seam on one side of a flat stocking foot, the fabric-engaging faces of the clamp lips being faced with a thin covering of rubber to insure a tight grip upon the fabric, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of,

two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS I-IER-ZOG.

lVitnesses:

ERNEST SHAW, WVILLIAM J. BELL.

five cents each. by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

